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I know people are concerned about what's happening in NSW.
There's no need to panic – but we absolutely can't afford to get complacent. We all have to take this seriously.
So here's what we're going to do:
There's no need to panic – but we absolutely can't afford to get complacent. We all have to take this seriously.
So here's what we're going to do:
From 11.59pm tonight, we're introducing a permit system for everyone entering VIC from NSW. Anyone who has been to the Nthn Beaches & other hotspots (red zone) won't be allowed to enter. Arrivals from these areas after 11.59pm will be transferred to hotel quarantine for 14 days.
People travelling from Greater Sydney (orange zone) are encouraged to get tested on arrival and self quarantine until they receive a negative result.
And we're asking anyone coming from regional NSW (green zone) to monitor for symptoms.
And we're asking anyone coming from regional NSW (green zone) to monitor for symptoms.
Permits and eligibility will be checked at both ends of flights, and DHHS staff will meet all arriving passengers.
At the same time Victoria Police will begin roving patrols at the land border, just as they did during our response to the South Australia outbreak.
At the same time Victoria Police will begin roving patrols at the land border, just as they did during our response to the South Australia outbreak.
DHHS will also be contacting all airline passengers from NSW who arrived in VIC from 11 Dec. If you travelled from the Nthn Beaches & other NSW exposure sites from 11 Dec, you'll be required to get tested and self quarantine for 14 days from the date you were last in a red zone.
We're also strongly advising Victorians not to travel to Sydney. The situation up there is expected to get worse over the coming days and the red zone is likely to grow.
That means we cannot guarantee you'll be able to come back.
That means we cannot guarantee you'll be able to come back.
People who've been in red zone areas will not be issued a travel permit – and given the way this thing moves, it's almost certain that more exposure sites will be added.
I know these changes will affect some people's plans for the holidays – and I'm sorry about that.
In such a hard year, so many of us have been counting down until we get to see those we've missed so much.
But no family gathering is worth more than someone's life.
In such a hard year, so many of us have been counting down until we get to see those we've missed so much.
But no family gathering is worth more than someone's life.
No Christmas lunch is worth risking everything we've worked so hard for.
As difficult as it is, there will be other times to see loved ones. But we don't get a second chance to get this right.
So please – take care. Be kind. And stay safe.
As difficult as it is, there will be other times to see loved ones. But we don't get a second chance to get this right.
So please – take care. Be kind. And stay safe.
